We're Loosing Our Baby

It's official...I no longer have a baby.

This fact has been quite obvious lately, Jesse's height alone reinforces that fact. Don and I have both been floored just watching Jesse pass by us.

There are other things too, independence in meeting daily needs such as getting dressed, brushing his teeth, doing dishes, raiding the fridge for a bologna ONLY sandwich. (just 3 slices of bologna folded like a tortilla.

But, if there was any doubt in my mind, tonight blew it all out of the water.

Jesse: "Bye Mom."

Me: "Where are you going?"

"To college."

"College?"

"Yes, far, far away."

"Mom, where is college?'

"If you don't know, I don't think you are ready for college."

"Yes I am. I am going to college far far away. Maybe, in Africa. I am going to college in Africa. Africa is a college."

"Africa is a continent.... I still don't think your ready to go..."

I've Got Sunshine...

...on an icy day!

(I haven't the first clue where to even begin looking for a vase!)

Joy

I am SOOOO geeked!

We started our new Bible study last night. We have begun, "Living Beyond Yourself" authored by Beth Moore.

This is a DVD study. We watched the first "instalment" last night, and it is so RIGHT ON!

Due to various pressures, needs and frustrations I have been taking a close look at the places my energies are spent, mainly people, and was starting to par back on how much I was "investing" myself.

Honestly, if felt very unnatural, but within the parameters of my selfish human mindset, it was needed.

I have been rather "let down" lately, feeling like a dumping station, a place people come to get rid of crap, but don't really care to linger .....

Anyway, it's complicated. My lack of neediness is often interpreted as a lack of need, but if someone really SAW me they would know that... right?!!!

But! It's not about ME!!! What a relief. God's plans for me ARE beyond me by design! I'M not supposed to do it! HE IS!!!!

Thru His Spirit I can

• Do things I couldn't
• Feel things I didn't
• Know things I wouldn't

The filling of the Spirit doesn't just change my life, it changes TODAY! I don't have to wait for it! It's available now! I just have to "come out of myself".

Cool beans!!! No striving. No manipulating.

I am so excited! I was giddy with gratitude last night as I crashed with my dear hubby! Just the knowing....I am exactly where I am supposed to be, with Don, in our house, in N.H., in our church, with our kids, in our families... It's FANTASTIC!

Did I mention our study is on the fruit of the Spirit....

Peace

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

That pretty much sums the past couple of weeks for our family.

So many precious memories and growth, yet so much turmoil and tension.

So many paths to growth being pursued, so many barricades we must lay at the feet of Christ.

So much to say, so much to ponder.

I can say we are so very blessed! We had a perfect New Years! Our church went a head and help prayer meeting on Wednesday night. I would have totally understood if they had cancelled, I probably would have supported the idea, but it turned out to be just what we needed.

God is so good like that! He keeps showing me how perfect things can be if I wait on Him and cease from striving. I am learning to seek His leading to help me discern between my zeal and Git R' Done "tendencies" and when He has a Plan Of Action for me. Also a constant balancing act is weighing whether keeping silent is apathy or wisdom.

So, back to our New Years.... usually Wednesday nights are a time of service to a bunch a kids from our community, but this past Wednesday we were all able to sit down together and it was such a cozy time.

I love that our church has such a united heart for ministry to each other and to all God sends our way! It is such a blessing to know those I invite will be safe and welcomed by all.

I digress, again, Pastor shared his observations of growth in the past year and his vision for 2009. He also opened things up for everyone else to do the same. There really has been a lot going on with our church body. Tornadoes, floods, moving, building, rebuilding..... It is so important to look back. God's faithfulness can be so quickly eclipsed, at least for me, by mounting troubles. Just that morning God had brought me to Hebrews 3:12-16 (The Message)

So watch your step, friends. Make sure there’s no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as it’s still God’s Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn’t slow down your reflexes. If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we’re in this with Christ for the long haul.

So that was my lesson from 08/ challenge for 09. Even the kid, who out numbered the adults, got involved. They shared things they were thankful for, prayed and got to sing their favorite song 2X!!! I think "Bold As A Lion, Brave As A Bear" is the song Pastor has adopted for our theme song for 2009. The kids are thrilled.

After church we went, for the first time, to our friends new house. We brought our Wii, Christmas gift from the Mc's) and hooked it up to their Living Room TV. Their Wii was hooked up to the 10 foot screen in their home theater. The kids had a blast bowling, and watching "Cars" on that monster!

We took turns upstairs facing off in tennis and boxing. It was fun! We stayed until midnight and prayed in the new year. It was precious!

It is WONDERFUL being home together as a family. Don has recently seen clearly God's path for our family and is doing a fabulous job of communicating and leading us.

There is more to say, but there is a lot to do.

A special shout out to my nephew Caleb on this his 6th birthday!

Update

• Finally left Tuesday night around 7:45pm. Stove was fixed. Had to stop on our way out to buy a cord for the DVD player... A must on long trips!!!
• Arrived at 5:30 AM CST. 24 hours and 10 minutes since I climbed out of bed. VERY short cat nap on the way. Drove half of the trip. Rain the whole way.
• Mother in law spoiled and pampered the weariness out of us.
• Lots of holiday traditions.
• Friends, new and old, caught up with.
• Ham, roast, fudge, cookies, pizza, peanut butter and Jelly, salad, lasagna...
• Spoiled again by Aunt Lois who knows I LOVE Chilis!
• Round 2 of gingerbread decorating. So glad for family willing to undertake such an ordeal with our 5!
• Headed home today. Need to crash!!!
• Pictures to come!

Hodg Podg

Phew! Finally! I have a moment to set down! I think I'll post about Jesse's birthday. Let me find my Camera....... Oh, yeah, it's in the Suburban.

Hey! I LOVE that car! I need to post a picture of it...Oh, yeah...

Maybe I'll check my e mail. Opps, the laptop is in the Burb too....

Come to think of it, I'm supposed to be in the Suburban right now, headed out of state toward the in-laws.....

It has been a day! Each workday AM starts at 5:20 for us. Don has the stove to tend and his commute is a bit longer. I was working on his breakfast when I discovered the water was not working, frozen at the pump in the pole barn. The pipes thawed around 10:30 eating up time I had planned to be packing. Yeah God! Now I can do the dishes so they aren't waiting for me when we get home.

Things went pretty smoothly from there. The kids got out of school early, but I still had some loading to do.

Last thing on the list, check the wood stove. Long story short. It blew a fuse, and another, so Don is headed home to get it working before we head out. By the by, he doesn't have a vehicle at work. Thankfully my grandpa was in town and is picking him up. Again Praise the LORD!

Who knows when we will be leaving... or get there.

Oh, and the best part about my new vehicle is, drum roll please, REMOTE STARTER!!! It's the BOMB!! I can even be in the middle of a store, or church, or at the school and push the button, and TA DA! it's warming up when I get to it!!

About "Home Church"; when Jon heard Saturday night that we would most likely not be having church Sunday (due to all the drifted snow, and below freezing temps)he requested to be the "Pastor" for Home Church. As soon as he woke up Sunday AM he was busy fashioning a podium out of my step stool and a quilt rack.

After breakfast we all gathered in our living room area. Don to the "pastor's" left and Jesse on his right. The rest of the "congregation" was assembled on a couch.

Jon opened in prayer then helped Jesse read a verse, followed by his "sermon" on the death of Christ. Homer quoted John 3:16, and then Jesse asked to do his own "sermon". It was based on 1096 (the page #) and had something to do with pirates and God and a big fish. Don stepped in to check and see if he was talking about Jonah, Jesse replied, "No". Don thanked Jesse for his willingness to preach, and encouraged him to stick to preaching ONLY what is found in the Scriptures.... Too funny! Jesse was cool about it, and we said it would be easier when he could read.

After all the preaching and Don sharing why the story of the cross is important at Christmastime, we got to sing!! Everyone picked out a song and Jesse took the stage and was the song leader. He did a great job of starting on pitch! I was surprised "Bold As A Lion" wasn't requested, so I picked that for my song. (in case you don't go to our church, the adults are almost out numbered by kids, and on Sunday nights when we get to pick songs, there are usually multiple kids requesting that song. I think they like it b/c they get to shout in church!)

Jesse got to have the kids home for his birthday due to another snow day. He received Prince Caspian (the movie) from Mcs and bought a Playmobile pirate ship with his birthday $. He also received a football and a set of "armour" at my family Christmas. So, now he is strutting around in his armour and pretending to be Prince Caspian. He isn't allowed to throw the football in the house. I am sure the "Fantasy Football" games will be back with vengeance, now that he has a foot ball, once it gets nice enough to play outside.

I have some cute pictures to share...later. I'm very tired, and I think I'll try to get the kids fed so we don't have to make a stop and eat in the car.
I am very excited about our trip and all the people we will get to see! I am especially excited to get to meet this wonder mom for the first time!!

(I finally got my nails painted during this down time!)

Pause

I have much to write about "Home Church", snow days, and Jesse's birthday, but this video on a friend's blog stopped me in my tracks and brought me to tears. THIS is what it's all about!


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